All the horsemen I've spoken to, don't have a problem with it.

He's the real deal. I think I have a very good horse. He's the type of horse that gives me that confidence he can do it. My job right now is to do the very best I can for him. One thing that's different from my Olympic experience, I was on the horse and had to do it myself. I have no control once the race starts now.

[The Jackson's] were very happy, we all were. Edgar said the last sixteenth he just folded up on him and he didn't even hit him with the stick.

Whatever we've asked him so far he's done, so we're going to try the dirt now and if he doesn't handle it, we'll still know that we have an exceptional turf horse. He'd only worked one time on the grass before his last race, and he's trained well on the dirt.

This race will be a test. This was sort of the plan for this horse all along. The timing was just right for his turf races. We've taken our time with him. Physically, he was ready before, but mentally, he had a lot of growing up to do.

We've got to get those slots going for a number of reasons. It's good for the shareholders and horsemen. It's also good for the community and education in the state.